How to remove the Google Redirect virus: on PC, Mac

Google Redirect virus manifests itself by hijacking browser controls and influencing internet traffic. It operates mainly on the functions of Google Chrome, where it can access personal information you store on a website and lead you to unwanted pages with a lot of advertising.

How to know if you have Google Redirect Virus on your computer?

If your web browser opens unselected pages, advertises pop-ups, or detects unusual Google activity, this virus has likely infiltrated your computer.

It is an annoying virus because it alters your browsing flow and opens pages and unwanted advertising. But, more importantly, it is dangerous because it can access your private browsing data and even ask you for money at some point to unlock certain features.

How to remove Google Redirect Virus?

To begin with, you can run a general antivirus scan to see if it can detect the problem.

It is recommended that you download and install one of the following malware search add-ons in addition to the antivirus:

Almost all of them work similarly: download, install, run a system scan and delete any unwanted files. Below you will find more details about some of them.

What is Malwarebytes?

It is a program specially created to eliminate this virus, browser hijackings, PUPs, and adware. In addition, it has more security functions, such as continuous protection, and it continues to detect risks with every movement on the Internet, not only when you perform a scan.

You can download it here and see more details about how it works.

What is AdwCleaner?

AdwCleaner is the most popular tool for removing this type of virus. Download it, install it and activate the scan function. The program will clean your computer of any malicious files.

You can download it here and find more details about how it works.

How to manually check for malicious files on your Mac?

You must check the malware that may have been installed on your browser.

Go to Finder > Go > Applications
Check all the applications you have installed, find out if you have any with the name Chrome Redirect or Google Redirect, and delete them (Move to Trash).
We recommend that you also delete any recent applications that may be suspicious since you can download the virus in the package of any other app.
Go back to Finder > Go > Utilities > Activity Monitor. It will display a list of all the activities on your computer.
In the search bar, type virus. If you see any activity with this name or find any other suspicious activity, select it and press the X button (Force Quit) in the top left corner.
Empty the trash to ensure that the installers or any trace of the virus are already out of play.

How to clean your Chrome browser?

Clear all history and cache in Google Chrome. Go to Menu (three dots) > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data. Delete all.
Follow the steps above, but go to the section on installed extensions. Go to the Menu (three dots) > More Tools > Extensions. Disable all that you find suspicious.
Restart the initial settings of Google Chrome. Go to Menu (three dots) > Settings > Advanced > Reset Settings. Select Restore settings to their original defaults. Finally, close the browser and restart Chrome.

How to clean up other browsers?

While the Google Redirect virus acts primarily on Chrome, we recommend that you do this same process on all browsers you may be using on your computers, such as Safari or Firefox.

The menu may change a bit from one browser to another, but in summary, the most important steps to clean up any browser are as follows: